'Best since Serena': Aussie teen pushes No.1

Destanee Aiava has earned comparisons to a young Serena Williams in a gallant near-miss against the best player in women's tennis.

Aiava, 17, pushed World No.1 Simona Halep on Tuesday before eventually going down 6-7, 1-6.

Aiava was on the verge of a huge boilover while leading 5-2 in the first set, before a nasty health scare seemed to derail her charge.

The youngster complained of tightness in her chest and had to leave the court for a medical timeout, and didn't look as potent when she returned.

She still managed to take Halep to a tiebreaker, before running out of steam in the second set.

However her gallant display had Halep and commentator Sam Smith comparing her to 23-time grand slam champion Serena Williams.

Smith said she hadn't seen a 17-year-old hit the ball as hard since Serena was that age, while Halep agreed with the comparison after her victory.

"She's very talented and very powerful and she has a big future ahead," Halep said.

"She's a little bit like Serena, she's a very powerful girl and she will be very good in the future."

Halep will face a nervous wait to find out the extent of an ankle injury sustained in a nasty mishap in the second set.

The Australian was unable to convert either of two set points in the eighth game and then won only two more games for the remainder of the match.

Only last week, Aiava was close to tears, claiming she needed a break from the sport after a heavy loss to Eugenue Bouchard at the Kooyong Classic.

with AAP